“London Calling” as the Council’s Ewan Kennedy gears up for iconic marathon

“London’s Calling” for the Council’s Ewan Kennedy – as our digital whizz leading on engagement around landline phone changes - will be taking to the streets of the city to participate in Sunday’s marathon. 

Ewan, 35, Graduate Trainee (Digital Engagement & Enterprise) at OIC, features twice in this week’s The Orcadian newspaper – firstly for his role in providing advice to folk around landline phone systems - as the old copper network is to be switched off and transferred to a new digital service - and secondly, as he gets ready for one of the biggest races of his life, so far! 

Ewan will be joining tens of thousands of other runners attempting the 26.2 mile televised race on Sunday 21 April. 

He explained: “The entry for London came about as the Orkney Running Club, of which I’m a member, receives one ballot place a year and the club holds a draw of all of those putting their name in. 

“To be honest I put my name in not expecting to get it, so having it drawn just after Christmas when I was still too full of festive indulgence, was a good kick for me to get moving!” 

Training in wintertime has certainly been interesting for the runner and motivation has been hard to find at times. 

“The winter months have been challenging, more from a mental perspective as in the effort to get out of the house when it's blowing a hoolie or pouring with rain! You tell yourself that it couldn’t be any worse weather in London. Once you’re out it’s fine though.” 

He’s been averaging around 20-30 miles a week in training, although this week that has tapered off to smaller runs, combined with stretch and mobility work. 

“The physical aspect is more about ‘getting the miles in your legs’ and getting them used to running for longer distances. I have had to get used to eating on my longest runs to make sure I have the energy to manage marathon distance. Every runner fuels differently, I use flavoured gels that are a bit like a squeezable yoghurt. They are easy to eat on the move and aren’t too much of a faff to open.”    

Ewan says he finds the endorphins immediately after a run are good for his mental health and he finds that each running success story pushes him to try and achieve more. 

"I started off doing the weekly Parkrun, I then joined the Orkney Running Club and ran my first  St Magnus 10k in 2018 fundraising for the Archie Foundation. Next, I completed my first half marathon (Kirkwall) in 2022 raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and last year was my first marathon which was the St Magnus Marathon raising money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health.” 

Given this is only his second marathon attempt, Ewan is aiming to complete somewhere just either side of the 4-hour mark. 

“I am not too nervous, yet. I would put the feeling down more to anticipation than nerves, but I don’t doubt that once I am making my way to the start line the pre-race nerves will make themselves known. I'm delighted to have been given this chance.” 

Ewan was also making headlines this week in his work role given the old phone landline copper network is to be switched off and transferred to a new digital service. 

This means that, by December, 2025, older phone lines will no longer function. Although the change is being led by the telecoms industry, which decided on it in 2017, the Council has staff on hand to provide the latest information and help folk manage the telephone transition. 

In practice, this means that everyone, whether at home or at work, will be using landlines with a router in the future. 

Many of us already have routers or hubs for our broadband services; however, a number will require an upgraded router. Older phones might need to be replaced too. Anything that is plugged in to a phone line will need to be checked to ensure that it is digitally enabled, from telecare alarms and credit card machines to CCTV and EV charging points. 

Ewan said: “Our main role as a Council is to try and raise awareness that it’s going to be happening and we’re trying to give the best information and advice we can to both the public and businesses on how best to be prepared for this.”  

Although the deadline for the switch-off of the old copper-wire network is set for December, 2025, the switch over dates will vary according to which provider you’ve got. 

It’s important to be aware too, Mr Kennedy said, that residents should not be required to pay for the change over to the new digital network. Scams have already been reported in other local authority areas. 

Ewan reassured that for the majority of customers, this will be a seamless process. 

The Council will be in contact with folk with Telecare devices (community care alarms) - you can read more about this here: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=9061 

To get in touch with the Council team, you can email digital@orkney.gov.uk or phone 01856 873535 Ext: 3668. Telecare users, or theircarers, should contact: 01856 873535 Ext 2635.